by Carol Cox
So far, she had managed to keep the newspapers away from them. Eager to let the nation know its newest state wouldn’t stand for corruption, the papers were full of the story, and Mitch’s byline appeared on the most talked-about reports.
It seemed Nathan Showalter and his band of friends had even higher aspirations than profiting on land deals and building resorts. An elaborate scheme had been uncovered to gain control of the water rights to the entire southern part of the state, a venture that, if successful, would have assured them of wealth comparable to the robber barons of old.
According to the talk around town, the speed with which that information came to light was due to the investigative efforts of one Mitchell Brewer, who seemed to know what was going on almost as soon as the story broke. Catherine knew that was due to the research he’d been doing all along, the research she had rejected at first and then tried to get him to squelch.
The knowledge left her numb. The one emotion she was capable of feeling was gratitude that he’d kept her name out of the papers.
Her grandfather called and pointed toward the capitol building. They strolled over to join him. “Look,” he said. “Isn’t that your young man over there?”
Catherine’s gaze followed his pointing arm, and she immediately spotted Mitch standing near the broad front door. He glanced her way, and their gazes locked.
With all her heart, she wished she could make the rest of the world go away, that she could somehow speak a word that would cause this crowd to fade into the distance. She needed to talk to him, to tell him how sorry she was, to admit that he was right.
She could never undo what she had done, and they would never regain their former closeness. But it would be nice to make him understand how badly she felt and know he’d truly forgiven her.
Mitch picked that moment to make his way toward them. Catherine held her breath and watched him weave through the crowd. Maybe she could find some excuse for them to slip away from her grandparents long enough to tell him what was in her heart.
Her pulse quickened. Grandpa wanted to see the inside of the capitol building. He’d mentioned it just that morning. She could send them along and tell them she’d catch up in a few minutes. It wouldn’t take long to say what she wanted to.
Then Mitch stood before them. He greeted her grandparents and turned to her.
“I was hoping—” he said.
Catherine spoke at the same time. “I wanted to—”
They broke off and laughed awkwardly. Mitch nodded. “You go first.”
She caught a quick breath and began again. “I thought maybe—”
“Brewer!” A man she recognized as Lucas Dabney pushed his way through the crowd. “Bryan just arrived. If you want a chance at an interview before he speaks, you’d better get moving.”
“Right away, boss.” Mitch looked back at Catherine, an apology in his eyes.
She waved her hand. “Go ahead. You have important things to do.” She watched him hurry off to speak with the great orator William Jennings Bryan while she was left to try to piece her heart back together.
Mitch had a great future ahead of him. He would always be in the middle of things, recording history as it happened. Her heart swelled with pride at the thought of being able to count him as her friend. She only wished he could have been more.
She remembered her grandparents standing quietly at her side. “Let’s go see if we can look inside the capitol, shall we?” She led the way toward the massive building. These two dear people deserved to enjoy such a special day despite the pain of her own loss.
❧
“You look lovely, dear.”
Catherine knew she looked more like something the cat dragged in, but she tried to inject a merry tone into her response. “You’re the one who looks beautiful tonight.” It was true. Lamplight glinted off her grandmother’s silvery hair, and her eyes held a gleam of anticipation.
“I’m glad we came,” Catherine said and found she meant it. Grandma had done so much for her, and there was so little she could do to repay her. Spending the evening at the statehood ball was a small sacrifice if it helped to achieve that end.
She looked around at the strings of lights hung between the trees, giving the outdoor setting the effect of a twinkling fairyland.
“Isn’t that Jim and Nettie Roberts?” Her grandfather gestured toward a couple on the opposite side of the crowd of merrymakers.
Grandma squinted her eyes. “I do believe you’re right. Let’s go see them.” She turned to Catherine. “Do you mind? They’re people we knew back in the early days, even before your father was born.”
“Go ahead,” Catherine told them. “I’ll be fine right here.”
She watched the dancers swirl, wondering where they found the energy after the rest of the day’s celebration. Left to herself, she would have spent the night holed up in her room, alone with her dismal thoughts.
“Good evening, Miss O’Roarke.” She turned to find Randall Donovan at her elbow. “I’m glad to see you’re able to enjoy the evening’s festivities. You’ve had a busy week.”
Catherine managed a smile. “So have you.”
Donovan gave a satisfied nod. “We’ve accomplished a lot. Once we started picking those fellows up, some of them couldn’t keep their mouths shut.” He slanted a grin at her. “Your boss sang the loudest. We got the whole story, enough to put the lot of them away for a long time.”
“That’s good.”
“It is indeed. So what are your plans for the future?”
Catherine laughed. “Now that I’m unemployed, you mean?” Along with the rest of Southwestern’s employees, thanks to me. “I really haven’t thought that far ahead.”
The future didn’t seem to matter much. She had enough trouble dealing with the present.
Donovan lowered his voice. “If you’re interested in a job with the district attorney’s office, I’d be glad to give you a recommendation. We don’t often come across people with your brand of integrity.”
Catherine laced her fingers behind her back. “Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
“Just get in touch. You know where we are.” He dipped his head and strolled away.
She shook her head as she watched him make his way through the throng. No matter what Mr. Donovan might think, she hardly considered herself a heroine. She felt deeply grateful to have finally found the courage to act on what she knew was right. And she was glad to be able to help bring the criminals to justice. Still, it was a hollow victory without Mitch at her side.
What did the future hold? She could take Donovan up on his offer, she supposed, and stay in Phoenix. Or maybe it would be better to go back home. Try as she might, she couldn’t make up her mind. For one thing, Mitch would be there in the capital. They would be bound to bump into each other now and again. How would she cope when that happened?
Like now. Her heart nearly stopped when she saw him step into the circle of light on the far side of the dance floor. He looked around as if searching for someone.
Should she stand her ground or duck into the shadows? Catherine found the choice was no longer hers to make. Her feet seemed to have taken root, holding her fast.
She couldn’t tear her gaze away from Mitch. She watched his every move and knew the moment he caught sight of her. His expression changed, but she couldn’t tell what was going on in his mind.
Helplessly, she watched him approach, skirting the dancers, making his way to her. Only a few hours ago, she had longed with all her soul to have a few minutes alone with him. Now she dreaded the coming encounter.
And then he stood facing her, his features solemn. The silence seemed to hang between them for an eternity. Finally, he spoke. “I’d like to talk to you, but there’s too much noise here. Would you mind coming away a bit?”
Catherine nodded. As long as my feet will move. She found they functioned perfectly well, following Mitch around the corner of the building to a quiet spot. He led her to a bench under an ash t
ree.
She seated herself at one end and clasped her hands tightly in her lap. At last she found her voice. “You did a wonderful job on those articles.”
“Thanks. Most of the groundwork was done ahead of time. But you already know that.”
“I appreciate you keeping my name out of it.”
“I was glad to do it.” Mitch shifted on the bench. “I want you to know how much I admire you for what you did. I know it wasn’t easy.”
Catherine held back a sob. Is this all we’re going to do from now on—hold polite conversations? This won’t work, Lord. I can’t just be friends. It hurts too much.
She drew a ragged breath. “I’m just sorry it took me so long to do it. You were right. I should have listened to you.”
Mitch shook his head. “I should have known you would do the right thing. And I never should have pushed you so hard. After all, I got a story out of it, but it cost you your job.”
“Well, there’s some good news to go along with that. I just had a job offer from the district attorney’s office, of all places.” She forced out a laugh. “I’m not sure I’m ready to jump into that just yet.”
She looked straight at Mitch. “I have even better news. It took a lot for God to get through to me, but I realize I can’t put Him on the back burner anymore. If He isn’t the main focus of my life, I’m bound to keep making mistakes like that, and I don’t want to let that happen. I thought you’d be glad to know I’m back in good standing with Him.” Her lips curved. “And I plan to stay that way.”
Even in the dim light, she saw a joyful gleam leap into Mitch’s eyes. “I’m glad to hear that.” He rubbed his palms along his thighs and glanced around. “There was something else I wanted to talk to you about.”
He stood and walked a short distance away from the bench, then turned back. “I’m not sure how to say this.” A slow smile spread across his face. “Or maybe I am.”
Walking over to a rose bush, he plucked a sprig from the end of a branch then strode back to the bench. He sat down next to Catherine and dangled the cluster of leaves over her head.
Catherine pressed herself against the arm of the bench. “Would you mind telling me what you’re doing?”
Mitch leaned closer. His breath grazed her cheek. “I know this is Valentine’s Day and not Christmas,” he said. “But do you think you can pretend this is mistletoe?”
Before she could answer, he pulled her into his arms. The touch of his lips on hers was like a searing flame. The world faded away; only the two of them existed. Finally, Mitch pulled back and stared into her eyes.
Catherine laid her palm against his cheek and struggled for air. “Is that the way you kiss a friend?” she asked when she could breathe again.
Mitch cradled her face between his hands. He ran his thumbs along her cheekbones, sending a shiver of delight through her. His eyes darkened, and his voice dropped to a husky note. “I always prayed that my wife would be my best friend,” he murmured. “Would you consider being both?”
This time, Catherine pulled his face down to meet hers.
Epilogue
Lonesome Valley, Arizona—November 15, 1912
“You may kiss the bride.”
Catherine watched Mitch lift her veil, the barest trembling evident in his fingers. He settled the filmy cloth behind her head, and their gazes met. The happiness in his eyes matched the joy that rang in her heart. Then he drew her into his embrace, and she lost herself in their first kiss as man and wife.
“Does the best man get a kiss, too?” Alex’s voice filtered into her consciousness.
“A short one,” Mitch growled with mock ferocity. “And you’d better not enjoy it too much.”
Catherine laughed and pecked Alex on the cheek then turned to Mattie, who pressed the bridal bouquet into her hands.
“Congratulations, Catherine.” Mattie’s eyes shone like stars. “I’m so happy for you. I always knew you two were meant for each other.”
“Even when we didn’t.” Catherine gave her best friend a long hug, then looked at her through a mist of tears. “Thank you, Mattie. For everything.”
“I’m glad you asked me to be your maid of honor. You have a wonderful family, and I’ve enjoyed meeting all the people here.”
Catherine noted the direction of her gaze. “Especially the best man?” She grinned when a blush tinted Mattie’s face from her chin to the roots of her hair. She leaned close and whispered, “If it makes you feel any better, I think he likes you, too.”
Maybe there would be another wedding in Lonesome Valley before long. The prospect filled her with happiness.
❧
Seated next to Mitch, Catherine let her gaze drift around the gathering. One by one, she studied the faces she loved, all those people who had long been a part of her life and now came to witness the beginning of its newest chapter.
Her parents and Ben, who loved and supported her even when they didn’t understand her. Their nearest neighbors, Jacob and Hallie Garrett, deep in conversation with Jacob’s parents, who had traveled all the way from Tucson to be with her on this day.
And of course, her beloved grandparents. She watched her grandmother, the way she bent over to speak to her husband with a tenderness that seemed to grow deeper with each passing year. Would she feel the same when she and Mitch had been married that long? Probably so. As long as she could remember, people had told her how much she was like Grandma. That hope warmed her.
She reached over and took Mitch’s hand. His smile warmed her even more.
Catherine’s father rose and lifted a glass filled with juice from the apples in the Garretts’ orchard. “A toast to the bride and groom!”
“Hear, hear!” their guests chorused.
Grandma pushed herself out of her chair and stood with her head held proudly. “And to the passage of last week’s initiative that finally gave the women of Arizona the right to vote. Maybe now we can get something done in this state!”
Laughter and applause greeted her sally.
Alex stood next. “I’d like to propose a toast, as well.” He moved to a spot before the wide front window. “I’ve known Catherine all her life. . .and somehow lived to tell about it.”
He waited for the snickers to die down, then continued. “Mitch has been a good friend to me, as well. I feel blessed that God saw fit to use me to bring the two of them together. The sun has risen on a new day for Arizona, and a bright future lies ahead.”
He raised his glass and held it high. Afternoon sunlight glittered through the window and touched the glass, tingeing the amber liquid with a copper hue. “May God grant these, my dear friends, a future just as bright. A future filled with love, hope, and the challenges they need to strengthen their faith as they walk together all their days. . .in Arizona.”
About the Author
Carol Cox is a native of Arizona whose time is devoted to being a pastor’s wife (of two churches!), homeschooling her young daughter, and staying in touch with her newly-married son and daughter-in-law. She loves any activity she can share with her family in addition to her own pursuits in reading, crafts, and local history. She also has had a number of novels and novellas published. Carol and her family make their home in northern Arizona. To learn more about Carol and her books, visit her Web site at: www.CarolCoxBooks.com. She’d love to have you stop by!
Dedication
To Kevin and Samantha who also enjoyed an Arizona wedding.
Thanks go to Terri and Tony Watson, and Babs and Bill Porter, whose portrayal of the pioneers of Arizona gave me a glimpse of the excitement and wonder of Statehood Day.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Carol Cox
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
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